Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd.

Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK

Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
Email: info@[Link] Website: [Link]
Company number: 06177730
IW Training

THE (POLAR) BEAR NECESSITIES



It is very important that every member of a team is aware of how to act and react in
the presence of such a dangerous animal. The notes below are intended to prepare
the team for polar bear encounters of any type.

Curious Bears
If a bear knows you are there and shows signs of being curious such as moving slowly
with frequent stops, standing on hind legs and sniffing the air, holding its head high with
ears forward or to the side, moving its head from side to side, or trying to catch your scent
by circling downwind and approaching from behind,
back away slowly. Help the bear identify you as human by talking in low tones. Move
slowly, upwind of the bear so that it can get your scent. Always leave an escape route for
the bear. Do not run.

Defensive Bears
If a bear has been surprised at close range or shows signs of being agitated or threatened
such as huffing, panting, hissing, growling, jaw-snapping, stomping its feet, staring directly
at a person, or lowering its head with ears laid back, back away slowly. Do not shout or
make sudden movements. Avoid direct eye contact. Act non-threatening. Be prepared to
use deterrents. Do not run.

Predatory Bears
If a bear shows signs of stalking or hunting you such as: following or circling you,
approaching directly, intently and unafraid, returning after being scared away, or appears
wounded, old or thin, group together and make loud noises. Be prepared to use
deterrents. Be prepared to fight back. Do not run.

Bears with Cubs
Never get between a bear and her cubs. If you come across a bear with cubs, do not run.
Group together and leave the area immediately. Be prepared to fight back if the bear
attacks.
If you experience a polar bear attack use any available weapon such as rocks, blocks of
ice, knives, skis or poles.

1. PROBLEMATIC HUMAN-BEAR CONFLICTS can arise when a bear is:
Surprised by the approach of a person
Attracted to a camp by odours from improper storage of food or disposal of garbage
Attracted to humans because it has learned from experience to associate people
with food
Is in poor physical condition and searching for any available food
2. THE POLAR BEAR
i Size:
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
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Adult male may weigh over 700 kg and reach a height of more than 1 metre at the
shoulder.
Adult female averaging closer to 300 kg.
ii Mobility:
They can travel several hundred kilometres in a few days. They can run short distances at
up to 30-40 km/h. They can move easily over rough ice or steep slopes. They can swim at
about 10 km/h, dive to depths of several metres and stay underwater for up to two
minutes. They have been sighted in open water many kilometres from shore.
iii Senses:
Sense of smell can lead it to a food source many kilometres away. Eyesight is equal to a
humans.
iv Diet:
Mainly meat seal, however any animal is potential prey. Also attracted to many of the
goods which humans carry such as rope, rubber, plastic, canvass, oil and garbage.
v Location:
Live mainly on sea ice. Most abundant in areas of unstable active ice. They travel
continuously (except denning females), the availability of food, in particularly seals, and ice
condition will give some areas seasonal importance. From late fall until early summer they
are found most often along floe edges and in areas of broken unstable ice in search of
seals. Females give birth in dens between November and January. These dens are
usually located in deep snow drifts, on slopes, riverbanks or stream banks which have
drifted over. They are often on land near the coast, but can be many kilometres inland. In
March to April the cubs follow their mother to the sea ice where they usually hunt for seal
pups in their birth lairs on landfast ice along the coast. Mating takes place on the sea ice
between late March and early June.

3. POLAR BEAR BEHAVIOUR
Individual bears are as unique as individual people. The following are generalisations only.
i Reactions to human encounters:
A bear may flee, charge or remain and try to pick up your scent.
ii Curiosity:
Bears are curious, not just about food. It is natural for bears to approach manipulate any
new objects in their environment. They often respond to a new object by approaching it,
smelling it, holding it with their front paws and chewing it. A curious bear may approach
you and try to pick up your scent by sniffing the air and moving its head from side to side,
sometimes while standing on its hind legs. The bear may circle and approach from
downwind to try and more effectively catch your scent. Curios bears do not usually
vocalise. Bears often leave once they have identified a human, either visually or by scent.

iii Threat displays (bear seeing you as a threat):
The most common signs of an agitated polar bear are:
loud huffing or blowing sounds, snarling or hissing
staring directly at you
lowering its head below its shoulder level with the ears laid back
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
Email: info@[Link] Website: [Link]
Company number: 06177730
moving the head up and down, or swaying it back and forth
Polar bears rarely exhibit threat displays or bluff charge before attacking people. Bluff
charges are usually initiated by subadults or females with cubs.
iv Predatory behaviour:
In a few rare cases bears have considered humans to be prey and stalked or attacked
them. A hunting bear will not bother with displays and thus a predating bear is unlikely to
give any warning. The bear will not show any fear but an intense interest in you. Polar
bears are usually silent but may give a out a sudden puff of air just before an attack. The
bear may make a direct approach, sometimes at a run or fast walk, follow you, or circle
carefully, making cautious approaches. Note however, that young bears often approach
and circle out of curiosity.
v Factors influencing bears reaction:
Your behaviour running or making sudden movements may cause the bear to attack.
Slowly backing away or standing your ground, depending on the situation is more likely to
result in the bear leaving.
The bears physical condition a bear in poor physical condition i.e. wounded or very old,
which is starving, is more likely to aggressively seek food from humans than one in good
physical condition.
Special circumstances sub-adult bears are often driven from the best feeding grounds by
more dominant bears and must therefore travel long distances in search of food. Adult
males may be more aggressive during breeding season (spring and early summer)
particularly if they are with a female.
Bears previous experience with people any bear which has eaten human food or
garbage and become accustomed to people is dangerous. These bears have learned to
associate people with food. A bear which has encountered people, but has never fed on
peoples food, may be less aggressive or indifferent during a people-bear encounter.
Bears perception of threat a bear actively defends an individual space, its cubs and its
food, its natural tendency to remove a threat to the above is to scare it off with displays or
an attack.
Individual space each bear has a different individual space, it may be a few metres or a
hundred metres. If a human-bear encounter occurs outside of the individual space then the
bear may leave without threatening. If an encounter occurs within the bears minimum
distance, the bear is likely to respond with threat displays and possibly an attack. This is a
defence reaction and a bears reaction to a surprise encounter at close range depends on
the extent and suddenness of your intrusion, whether the bear has an escape route or
feels cornered, and whether the bear is defending food or cubs.
Defence of cubs females are aggressive in their defence of their cubs. If a female with
cubs is disturbed at close range she is more likely to attack than flee.
Defence of food bears are aggressive in the defence of their food.
Provoked attacks provoked attacks by polar bears are rare, most will retreat if injured
during a people-bear encounter.
vi Problem bear:
A bear that has lost its fear of people and defies them in attempts to gain food. They occur
when bears associate people with food or that people are not a threat. Infrequent rewards
of food from humans or human or human sources are enough to encourage a bear to keep
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
Email: info@[Link] Website: [Link]
Company number: 06177730
returning. The bear will become bold as it loses its tendency to avoid people. If bears have
frequent contact with humans which does not relate with unpleasant experiences such as
fear or pain, they will learn that there is no reason to avoid people. Once this process has
begun, it is difficult to reverse, the importance of preventing problem bears is of obvious
importance.
Prevention can be maintained if:
absolutely no food is made available to them at any time
they are taught to associate human food sources with a painful or frightening
experience

4. AVOIDING BEAR PROBLEMS
Bears are encountered by chance or because they are attracted to you.
i Precautions whilst travelling:
Know the areas and habitats bears use at different times of year. Watch for bear signs
such as
fresh tracks
droppings
animal carcasses seal kills
Use binoculars in open terrain.
Travel in daylight.
Make noise where visibility is impaired (announcing presence may avoid a chance
encounter), however be aware that making noise may raise a bears curiosity.
Travel in large groups.
Do not take a pet dog it may attract or aggravate a bear and run back to you with the
bear in pursuit.
Avoid using strongly smelling products such as deodorants, cologne or perfume, they may
attract bears.
There have been suggestions that odours associated with menstruation attract bears, this
is controversial, however women should be cautious and minimise odours through careful
personal hygiene and the use of tampons rather than external sanitary protection.
Carry deterrent devices and a firearm. Make sure you are familiar with them and they are
easily accessible.
ii How to react to a bear encounter:
Every encounter is unique. The following are guidelines only and are based on good
judgment, common sense and familiarity with bear behaviour.
iii General recommendations:
Assess the situation and think about your surroundings before you act
Try to remain calm
Try to keep the bear in sight, even in open habitat a polar bear can hide
When travelling in a group, remain close together
Do not run, unless you can reach safety before the bear catches up, a bear is faster
than you
iv Responding to a bear in camp:
A bear is sighted at a distance, approaching camp walk to the nearest safe
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
Email: info@[Link] Website: [Link]
Company number: 06177730
shelter. Make sure everyone in the area is aware of the bear. Try to drive the bear
away using an appropriate deterrent (having a firearm ready as a back up), if the
bear continues to approach and time permits try a different deterrent. Fire waning
shots. Give the bear a chance it may leave after its curiosity is satisfied shooting
the bear should be considered a last resort.
A bear is in camp if no immediate danger, scare away with deterrents. If people
are in immediate danger, shooting may be the only option. Flashing a strong light
back and forth across a window rapidly may coax a polar bear out of an unoccupied
cabin or building (or tent?) at night. The bear can then be deterred.
v Reacting to a chance encounter away from camp:
Bear is unaware of you and feeding If possible to do so undetected, leave the
area. Move only when the bears head is down, stop when it lifts its head to look
around. Stay downwind. When you are a safe distance away, wait until the bear
leaves or make a wide detour around. If not possible to leave undetected, let the
bear sense you by smell first. Quietly move upwind. If possible, keep the bear in
sight. The bear may leave when it smells a person nearby.
Bear is unaware of you but approaching give the bear right of way. Try to get out
of the way without being noticed if not possible announce presence by shouting.
Bears should be able to determine that you are human by the time they are 100-150
metres away. Give the bear a chance to leave.
Bear is aware of you, but distant stay calm. Continue moving slowly but away
from the bear. If bear follows, leave behind a hat or scarf to distract it and allow it to
identify you as a person.
Bear is aware of you and close bear is likely to feel threatened, therefore act in
non-threatening manner, particularly if adult or female with young. Do not make
sudden movements and keep bear in sight without making direct eye contact. Help
the bear identify you as a person stay upwind if possible, talk in low tones and
wave arms slowly. Give the bear opportunity to leave, make sure it has an open
escape route. Back away slowly. Try to deter the bear if in a safe position. If bear is
young and possibly curious, may be best to yell or in some way be more aggressive
to drive it away.
Bear is close and threatening scare off with deterrent. If the deterrent is
unsuccessful, act as non-threatening as possible. Talk in a calm but authoritative
voice. No sudden movements. Do not imitate a bears aggressive sounds, signals
or postures. Back away slowly and drop hat or scarf to distract bear. Drop food only
as a last resort. If bear is young and possibly curious, may be best to yell or in some
way be more aggressive to drive it away.
Bear is very close and approaching if bear does not respond to deterrent, stand
your ground. If unarmed do not play dead unless bear charges and is close,
standing will enable you to dodge an attack, distract the bear by dropping
something or by flashing clothing and allow you to monitor a bears actions. If you
are armed and the bear continues to approach aggressively, be prepared to shoot
once the bear is within 20m you will have little time to act should a bear charge.
Bear charges they charge at high speed on four legs, often crouched low to the
ground, they do not charge on their hind legs. If a polar bear charges, shoot to kill.
Bluff charges are rarely observed in polar bears, they occasionally stand on their
hind legs before initiating a charge.
vi Shooting a bear:
When personal decision made quickly. Experts recommend waiting until the bear is 20m
and as close as 3-10m if using a 12 gauge shotgun.
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
Email: info@[Link] Website: [Link]
Company number: 06177730
Where Kill should be clean and quick. First shot most important. Aim for the low neck if
the bear is broadside. Low centre neck between the shoulders if the bear is facing you.
Front shoulder area to knock the bear down and disable it. Avoid head shots as they often
do not kill a bear. Do not stop to check results, if bear goes down, keep shooting vital
areas until it is still, make sure it is dead.
A wounded bear is a dangerous bear. If you wound a bear it is your responsibility to find
and kill it or report it to the nearest Renewable Resources office.
It is legal to shoot a bear to preserve a life, or to protect property. A kill must be a last
resort and must be reported.
vii Playing dead:
May prevent serious attack if a surprise encounter brings on an attack and you are unable
to kill the bear. This may reduce the threat you represent to the bear. If you appear
harmless, the bear may leave, however playing dead too soon (i.e. before an attack is
imminent) may lead a curious bear to approach and investigate rather than leave. Never
play dead if the bear considers you prey.
Position minimise exposure of vital organs, lie on side in a ball with legs drawn to chest
and head buried in knees. Clasp hands behind neck with fingers interlocked. Use forearms
and elbows to protect face. Keep legs together. Stay in position even if moved. Try not to
resist or call out as it may intensify the attack. Look cautiously to ensure bear has left
before moving.
viii Predating bear:
Never play dead, act aggressively and defend yourself with whatever means available.
Appear dominant and frighten the bear jump up and down, shout, wave arms, fight back,
raise jacket or pack to make yourself look bigger.
Unarmed person presents little opposition to a bear, however fighting may frighten them
into leaving or buy time for someone to assist. Fighting only applies to predating bears, not
when surprising a bear at close range.
ix Responding to a bear attack:
If an attack, mauling or carrying off is occurring, other members of the party should not
hesitate in using a deterrent or weapon. The risk of injury from a deterrent or misplaced
shot is less, at this point, than the injury or possible death that could result from the bear
attack.
If in a close group, do not scatter, panicked activity may increase a bears perception of
threat.
Once a polar bear mauling has begun, the bear is extremely difficult to deter.
x Injuries:
Face and skull commonly receive injuries from bear attacks.
Be aware and have medical provision for injury caused by deterrent or firearm.

5. CAMP DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE
i General precautions:
Avoid the following areas:
Bear feeding areas, the floe edge, leads, open water areas and heavily pressured
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
Email: info@[Link] Website: [Link]
Company number: 06177730
near shore ice.
Bear travel lanes and trails, along shorelines, points of land and pressure ridges on
sea ice
Den sites, especially known bear denning areas
Summer retreats, coast lines and off-shore islands
Locations with previous bear problems
Locations where bear signs are evident
Locations where loud sounds would drown out the sound of an approaching bear.
ii Camp layout, guidelines:
Consider windows in tents to check for bears, heads out of tents may resemble
bears sticking heads out of breathing holes.
Fewer bigger tents are advantageous to numerous smaller ones. As surrounded
bear may feel confused and charge.
Place tents in a line or semi-circle, always providing the bear with a route of escape,
this also provides safer use of deterrents or firearms.
Toilets should be 50metres from, but in view of, sleeping quarters.
Sleeping quarters should be upwind from toilets.
iii Food preparation and Storage:
Minimise food waste
Minimise food odours
Use airtight containers
Be aware that grease is especially attractive to bears
Keep kit as free from food odours as possible
Avoid hair picking up food odours
Clean kitchen utensils/cutlery after use
Synthetic materials, such as rubber, sleeping bags and motor oil are also bear
attractants
iv Waste disposal:
It is odours which must be minimised
Toilet areas should be covered with lime.

6. BEAR DETECTION SYSTEMS FOR CAMPS
Trip wire fence
Microwave motion detection system
Dogs
Bear monitors
Infra-red
Conventional security system

7. BEAR DETERRENT METHODS
Two aims of deterrents, firstly to chase away bears in the short term and secondly to
eliminate a bears habit of visiting areas of human activity by having the bear associate
such areas with an unpleasant experience. To emphasise this unpleasant experience, a
deterrent should be used every time a bear enters human activity areas.
i Use of deterrents:
Must be governed by judgement and common sense. Each encounter is unique.
Guidelines:
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
Email: info@[Link] Website: [Link]
Company number: 06177730
No deterrent is 100% effective
Concentrate on avoiding situations where a deterrent is necessary
Effort needed to deter bear is dependent on circumstances, e.g. a starving bear
may not be easily scared off by any deterrent
Some deterrents, especially noise makers, become less effective with repetition
Deterrents must not make you overconfident in an encounter or complacent in
avoiding bear problems.
Training and practice are necessary to use deterrents safely and with confidence.
Ensure a back-up weapon, preferably a partner with a back-up weapon for
protection in case the deterrent fails.
ii Choice of deterrent:
The best deterrent for each situation will depend upon:
Its practicality, cost and availability
The size and permanence of a camp
Your training, experience and confidence in using the deterrent
The type of bear encounters which you may face
The behaviour of the bear
The surrounding terrain
iii Methods for deterring bears:
Warning shots:
Effectiveness:
Not all bears scared.
Repeated use may decrease effectiveness.
Practicality:
Practical for most situations where portable, short term deterrent is needed.
Suitable for people travelling in bear country
Advantages:
Readily available. Easy to use. Portable.
Limitations:
Injury to bear.
Use:
Do not aim directly at the bear. Shoot in the air to the side of the animal and
remember the bullets can ricochet off the ice. Reload as soon as possible. Ensure
no people are in your line of fire.
Cracker shells:
Effectiveness:
As for warning shots. Should not be relied upon for personal protection
Practicality:
As for warning shots
Advantages:
As for warning shots
Limitations:
Not dependable. Shells can misfire or fail to explode. Limited to open areas. May be
a fire hazard.
Use:
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
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Company number: 06177730
Fire at 45 degree angle in the air to the side of the bear. Do not fire directly at the
bear. Never fire behind the bear.
Thunderflashes:
Effectiveness:
As for warning shots. Should not be relied upon for personal protection
Practicality:
As for warning shots, effectiveness limited.
Advantages:
As for warning shots.
Limitations:
As for cracker shells. Limited range.
Pencil flares guns:
Effectiveness:
As for warning shots. Should not be relied upon for personal protection.
Practicality:
As for warning shots.
Advantages:
As for warning shots.
Limitations:
As for cracker shells.
Airhorns (boat horns):
Effectiveness:
As for warning shots. May be used to prevent surprise encounter. Should not be
relied upon for personal protection.
Practicality:
As for warning shots
Advantages:
As for warning shots
Limitations:
Not reliable in very cold temperatures. May provoke aggressive or curious reactions
from some bears. Source of noise is on person.
Birdscaring flare cartridges:
Effectiveness:
More effective than cracker shells but do not scare some bears. During field tests
this deterrent scared away most polar bears.
Practicality:
As for warning shots
Advantages:
As for warning shots. Reliable. Consistent trajectory. Flare component useful in
darkness.
Limitations:
Limited to open areas. May be a fire hazard.
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
Email: info@[Link] Website: [Link]
Company number: 06177730
Acoustic deterrents:
Effectiveness:
Some frequencies (0.1 9khz) have good potential. Further research is required.
Practicality:
May be useful at permanent or semi-permanent camps
Advantages:
Appears physically harmless. Versatile. Easy to install.
As for warning shots
Limitations:
Further research required.
Vehicles:
Effectiveness:
Engine noise often scares bears away. Chasing bears for short distance often
effective.
Practicality:
Useful while travelling or in small camps where vehicles used
Advantages:
Easy if vehicle accessible
Limitations:
Hazardous to bear and people if not used properly
Use:
Do not chase for in excess of 5 minutes, you may tire and kill the bear, particularly
in warm weather. Stay at least 30m from the bear. Do not turn engine off until sure
bear will not return.
Dogs:
Effectiveness:
Specially trained dogs may be effective. Not reliable.
Practicality:
Suitable for camps of all sizes
Advantages:
Easy
Limitations:
Untrained dogs may aggravate bear or lead it back to camp. Dogs can be killed.
Require a responsible handler.
Rubber bullets:
Effectiveness:
Very effective

Practicality:
Useful in most situations
Advantages:
Bears do not act aggressively toward person firing gun. May cause behavioural
changes resulting in long term deterrence
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
Email: info@[Link] Website: [Link]
Company number: 06177730
Limitations:
Restricted weapon use limited to RCMP. Intensive training necessary. Injury to
bear. Special rifle required. Expensive. Single shot weapon.
12 gauge plastic slugs:
Effectiveness:
Quite effective although some bears not deterred.
Practicality:
Suitable for most problem bear situations.
Advantages:
Accurate. Can be fired from 12 gauge shotgun. Portable. Inexpensive.
Limitations:
Injury to bear, especially if used at closer range than recommended.
Capsicin sprays:
Effectiveness:
Not rigorously tested on polar bears. Should not be relied upon for personal
protection. If effective, effect is likely to last between 5 to 15 minutes.
Practicality:
Portable. Useful as backup for other deterrent methods. Useful whilst travelling or in
small camps.
Advantages:
Readily available. Portable. Easy to use.
Limitations:
Not useful in all situations e.g. wind. Limited range (6-8 metres). Not reliable in
subzero temperatures, range greatly reduced.
Use:
Downwind if possible. Short bursts. Continue spraying until deterred. Spray in eyes
to be effective.

Three slug system:
Often the best deterrent is a combination of deterrents e.g. the three slug system. Use of
cracker shells, plastic slugs and lead slugs in a short barrelled 12 gauge shotgun. Cracker
shells fired as a deterrent at 150-200m, if that fails to deter, plastic slug fired at 30-60m
and as a last resort the lead slug should be fired at 0-30m to destroy the bear.

8. FIREARMS AND BEARS
Choice of firearm:
Single shot weapons are not good protection against bears as it often requires several
bullets to kill a bear. Semi-automatic weapons are not recommended due to being more
prone to malfunction, especially in cold temperatures. In cold temperatures, always guard
against condensation.
Shotgun:
Suitable for those with little experience. Good killing ability when used with a combination
of rifled slugs and large buckshot. Short barrelled shotgun may be used with crackershells.
Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd. Rosewood Cottage, Woodside Road, Woodside, Berks, SL4 2DP UK
Tel: +44(0)1344 883861 Mob: +44(0)777 565 1471
Email: info@[Link] Website: [Link]
Company number: 06177730
Rifles:
For use by those with experience. .30-06 or one of comparable power is recommended.
More accuracy required. Soft point bullets of 200 grains or heavier are recommended.
Handguns:
Use is controversial. Revolvers of .357 are capable of killing a bear, but require
experience.

-ends